The Packaging Challenge!

Over recent months, most businesses will have experienced cost increases across different areas of operation. At ASC Direct, we focus on making sure you source the right packaging at the best possible value. So we’re issuing a challenge, are there ways to help reduce your packaging costs while maintaining best quality protection for your products? 

Below are some of the ways we help customers improve their cost efficiency. By taking our challenge, and reviewing key areas of your packaging, you may be able to offset rising costs through practical, indirect savings across materials, storage, transport, and production efficiency. 

Which of these would help you? 

Could you reduce your Board Grade? 

Many customers come to us using the same board grade they have always used, but it is worth asking whether that specification is still the best fit for the product, the supply chain, and the level of protection required. 

If the product is not fragile, it is worth considering whether a double-wall box could be replaced with a single-wall option; or whether your current single-wall box be reduced to a lower grade without affecting performance. If your damage rates are consistently low, could you run a controlled trial with a downgraded board grade? 

Could you reduce your Box Size? 

Sometimes there is space around the product in your box, which means the box could be made smaller without detriment to the item(s) you are protecting. Indeed, a better fit may improve the protection and presentation of your product.  

This can make savings in more ways than one! 

The box size reduces so, in turn, there is less material in the product - so lower box cost! Often, you can fit more on a pallet too!

Could you get more boxes on a pallet? 

Businesses are busy fulfilling orders, but have you considered whether a small tweak to a box size could mean many more boxes on a pallet? With less pallets to ship, less space is taken on a lorry and less trips are needed overall – a win win win! 

To see how this works, a standard box 305 x 229 x 229mm will fit:  

• 15 per layer @ 4 layers high = 60 boxes per pallet ❌ 

If we customise this box very slightly - 294 x 194 x 194mm - you can now fit: 

• 20 per layer @ 5 layers high = 100 boxes per pallet✅ 

For a next day delivery cost of £45 per pallet, that means 0.75p per standard box, but just 0.45p per custom box, 30p per box cheaper! 

Could an easier-to-assemble box speed up production? 

Sometimes hard to assemble boxes, or ones which require tape, slow down production for everyone. An envelope base box with a tuck-in flap might cost 20p more than your current box with the added material, but it could mean your team packing twice as many boxes per hour, significantly improving production and increasing your overall revenue. 

Take our challenge and consider reviewing these key areas of your packaging. It’s good practice to continue to review aspects of your business to ensure you are as lean, efficient and sucessful as possible.

Let us help! If any of these suggetions will help you, bring it to us and we will help in all the ways we can. 

 

James Palfrey-Smith is the General Manager at ASC Direct with extensive experience in both operations and sales. James is passionate about solving packaging problems, delivering fast customer support, and building lasting relationships. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. A fan of real ale and business podcasts, he continuously seeks personal and professional growth. 

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